Rigging, Assembly, and Installation
What this domain tests
This domain tests assembly and installation judgment: harness fit, riser routing, connector-link closure, three-ring assembly, RSL routing, AAD installation, ripcord cable path, and static-line attachment. Questions often show a routing or assembly error.
Core rules and concepts
- Harness and container fit. The harness must fit the user and route cleanly. Chest and leg straps should be adjusted so the reserve handle and cutaway handle are reachable. A container that is too large or too small changes deployment geometry.
- Riser and line routing. Risers must be correctly paired left and right, with lines unstowed and untangled. The reserve free bag, bridle, and pilot chute must follow the specified path. A routed-through handle or trapped bridle is a rigging error.
- Three-ring release. Assemble the ring stack in the exact order shown in approved data. A reversed or mismatched ring stack can bind and prevent release. Connector links must be correctly oriented, fully closed, and secured as specified.
- Ripcord and cable. The ripcord cable must run without sharp bends or chafing. Pin tension must allow a firm pull but prevent accidental opening. Do not shorten, bend, or substitute the cable to fix a closing-loop problem.
- RSL and AAD. Route the reserve static line so it cannot interfere with the reserve handle or cutaway. Install the AAD per its approved manual, including cutter position and arming.
Worked example
A rigger finds the ripcord cable sharply bent where it enters the pack. The pins close, but the pull is very hard. Shortening the cable would make it tighter-not better. The correct action is to identify why the cable path is wrong: check closing-loop length, pack volume, and cable routing. Restore a smooth path, verify pin tension, and confirm the handle pulls freely. A bent cable is a defect, not an adjustment point.
Traps that cost marks
- Reversing the three-ring stack or mixing ring sizes.
- Closing connector links without confirming correct orientation and full engagement.
- Routing the RSL across the reserve handle or cutaway handle.
- Using cable length or closing-loop tension to compensate for a packing error.